Program preselecting and control apparatus



y 9, 1946. F. H. OWENS 2,403,454

' PROGRAM PRESELECTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. l0 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet l v ro.

INVENTOR FREEMAN H. OWENS BY m ATT 13in July *9, 1946. F. H. OWENS PROGRAM PRESELECTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FREEMAN H. OWENS July 9; 1946. F. H. OWENS PROGRAM PRESELECTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR MAN H. OWENS ATg R NEY Q FREE F. H. OWENS 2,403,454

. PROGRAM PRESELECTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 9, 1946.

Filed Nov. 10,1942

I lgvwxg V INVENTOR FREEMAN H. OWENS ATT July 9, 1 94-6 F. H. OWENS PROGRAM PRESELEGTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 v INVENTOR REEMAN H. OWENS BY ATT" RNEY JulyS, 1946, F. H. OWENS PROGRAM PRESELEGTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR FRE EMAN H. OWENS July 9, 1946. F. H. OWENS 2,493,454

I PROGRAM PRESELECTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet '1 U1 Fa 1 E U 2 g o E g 22 w -wm2:Nm q-0c-mm8 INVENTQR FREEMAN H. OWENS BY July 9 1946- F. H. OWENS PROGRAM PRESELECTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 1-0, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 I T1: .l2

INVENTOR FREEMAN H. OWENS BY ATT Iii Y iii y 1946' F. H. OWENS 2,403,454

PROGRAM PRESELECTING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 F I INVENTOR FREEMAN H. OWENS 2! Akn uz Y Patented July 9, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 2,403,454 PROGRAM PBESELECTING AND CONTROL APPARA Freeman H. Owens, New York, N. Y. Application November 10, 1942, Serial No. 465,155

a Claim:- (Cl. zoo-s7) The invention here disclosed relates to apparatus for preselecting certain programs or sequences and is a continuation-in-part of inventions disclosed and covered in copending patent applications, Ser. No. 397,504 filed June 10, 1941, and Ser. No. 450,449 filed July 10, 1942.

Special objects of the present invention are to improve and simplify structural and electrical features and to make it easier to set up the apparatus for any desired program of events.

Particularly it is an object of this invention to enable the apparatus when applied to radio reception, to .be quickly adjusted for reception of stations in the various wave bands outside oi the usual broadcast bands, for example, in the short wave field, frequency modulation, television and the like.

Other special objects are to reduce the amount of necessary wiring, enable quick and easy assemblage of the parts, to simplify and reduce the number of necessary parts for the selector switches and to provide the timing switch in a more practical form, in which the relatively moving parts are protected against wear, so as to maintain accuracy of timing.

A iurther object of the invention is to provide a simplified form of master control by which the program selecting mechanism can be turned off at any time without shutting off the time clock and without upsetting any program for which the selector keys have been set.

Another object is to provide a simple form of means for "fading out one program and "-Iading in another in the selecting function of the machine.

Further objects are to provide a simple and reliable form of micrometer control for accurately setting the tuning units and to provide a simple, well protected and easily removable form of record mechanism.

Other objects are to provide the complete apparatus in a compact, small, light, inexpensive, portable unit, attractive in appearance and with the necessary control parts arranged in readily understandable relation.

Other desirable objects will appear as the specification proceeds.

The novel features and combinations through which the purposes of the invention are attained are set forth in the following, broadly covered in the claims and illustrated by way of practical example in the accompanying drawings. It is realized however, that actual physical structure may be modified and changed in various ways all within the true spirit and broad scope oi the invention. The illustration therefore is to be considered primarily for purposes of disclosure and not by way of limitation, the actual scope of the invention being as hereinafter broadly defined and claimed.

Fig. 1 is a broken irontelevation of a present embodiment of the invention. I

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on a larger scale and as on substantially the plane or line Fig. 3 is a broken longitudinal-sectional view as on substantially the plane 0! line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 3a is a broken detail of the iader mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a broken horizontal sectional view on substantially the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a broken sectional detail of the rocking spring toggle voting switch and lock mechanism as on substantially the line 5-5 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 6 is a similar view 01' the unlocking cam for the voting switch, substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7. I

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional detail as on substantially the plane of line 'l-l of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is apart sectional broken detail of the timing switch as on substantially the line 0-8 of F18. 2. I

Fig. 9 is a broken part sectional view as on line 9-9 of F18. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail as on the line l0-l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a similar otFig. 8.

. Fig. 12 is a broken vertical sectional view of the recorder.

Fig. 13 is a similar view as on line l3-l3 of view as on line ll-H Fig. 14 is a broken sectional view 01 the micrometer tuning mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram.

Figs. 16 and 17 are broken front and vertical sectional view 01' one modification and Figs. 18, 19, are similar views of another modified form of the invention.

Fig. 20 is a brokensectional detail illustrating another modification.

In the present disclosure, there is illustrated a radio receiver of the small portable or table type, having nine different tuners, each of which can be set to. receive stations in three different .wave bands and which can be set in each instance to the desired sound level. The stations so tuned and volume controlled can be automatically brought in at selected times by setting time keys slidingly arranged in two banks indicating panel. Voting time intervals to which they refer.

grooves 44, in the lower portion of said I station contacts or the lower ofl at opposite sides of a centrally disposed station or the recording of opinions also is provided for. a

The tuners, designated l to 9," in Fig. 1, have manual controls 20, and below each is a switch handle 2|, which can be turned to any one of three positions, designated A, B, C, for tuning in on different wave bands, such as for broadcast, short wave stations, frequency modulation or the like. 7

The key slides are designated 22; and are provided one foreach fifteen minute, broadcast or other predetermined interval, throughout the range of time intended to be covered by the set, such as in the illustration the twenty hour interval running from 6 o'clock in the morning to 2 o'clock at night. There are thus eighty of these slides and they are shown arranged vertically in close side-by-side relation, one half of them to the left and the other half to the right of a central indicating panel 23, carrying station designations or the like for the nine different tuners. Each slide is shown as having a forwardly projecting flngerhold 24, by which it may be shifted vertically to any one of the nine diil'erent positions indicated, or to the lower, "of!" position indicated at 25.

A horizontally extending scale 28, below the slides identifies them as to the broadcast or other These keys thus show by their positions, stations which have been selected and the times at which such stations will be brought in.

A hinged cover is indicated at 21, over the front of the set which may be transparent or have a, window to expose the setting of the slides and this cover, if desired, may be equipped with a suitable lock to protectthe set against unauthor ized or undesired meddling.

A twenty-four hour clock is shown at 28, centrally disposed above the keys and forming part of the time train which effects the time se1ection.

Voting is provided for by a lever indicated at 28, which can be turned to either a "yes or a no" position and directly in front of this voting termediate bend enables these wires to be held against turning in the narrow and relativel', .ieep slots in the backs of the slides. .The intermediate bowed portion in addition to holding the wire to move with the slide, imparts a spring quality to the opposite'end portions causing these to act as spring fingers. The upper V-shaped brush tip is.

kept in engagement with the vertical contact wire by sliding in the vertical groove, in which that wire is laid and the lower V-shaped tip acts as a spring detent in the V.-shaped grooves to lever or button is shown the "on" and "01! control knob 30. I

The switch keys, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4, are small thin slides of suitable insulating material, confined in flat side-by-side' relation between spaced front andback panels 3|, 32, the front panel being open at 33, for passage of the key projections 24.

The backs of the key slides are shown longitudinally grooved or recessed at I4,to receive contact strips or wires 35, having bowed central portions 38, entering correspondingly shaped positioning notches 31, in the grooves and having V-bent ends, 38, 39, respectively, to ride the straight vertically extending time contacts 40, in vertical grooves 4|, in the top portion of back panel 82, and to engage the different station selecting contacts 42, or the lower "01!" contact 43, disposed in the horizontally extending V-shaped panel.

As shown particularly in Fig. 2, the contacts in the back of the slides thus serve as spring brushes to bridge across from the vertically extending time contacts to any one of the nine contact.

Any or all of these contact elements may be made of wire. The arched formation of the brush retain the slide in variously shifted positions. Also by reason of the-arched shape, the intermediate portion of the brush wire is fully clear of any intermediate bus wires which it spans.

As a visual aid to the accurate positioning of the slides, the latter may be ridges as indicatedat 45, on their front exposed faces in such relation that all the ridges should register in all selecting positions of the slides.

The vertical, time selecting wires are shown as, secured in the vertical groOves by havin theirv lower ends bent and passed back through openings in the panel at 46, and their upper ends bent back through notches 41, in the upper edge of the panel. The horizontally extending station representing wires or buses are indicated in Fig. 3, as secured in the V-shaped grooves by having their ends bent back through notches 48, in the ends of the back panel.

The time clock mechanism is indicated as including a constant speed electric motorat,49, which through proper gearing 50, rotates a dis-' tributor arm 5|, one revolution for each twentyfour hours. a current collecting branch 53,

panel, held so by a retainer ring- Gil, slipped into the annular support over-the radially projecting portions of the wires, this ring in turn being held by the back plate 6|, which supports the time clock mechanism. The inner ends of the brush contact portions of these wires are shown angled at B2, and entered in a holding and positioning groove 63. Thes combined switch contactand distributor contact wires may be preformed in shapes to fit the panel structureand may be ordinary enameled wires having the insulation removed at the opposite end portions which form the time contacts for the selector switches and the brush contacts for the distributor.

The distributor brush is arranged to pass from one contact to the next prior to the end ofeach roadcast Ol.'0th8l time interval, to set up the next time circuit in readiness to be closed at the instant of change from one period to another.

The actual closing of the time circuit is effected having one set of four curved face radially extending contact arms 65, andbehind those a 4 similar set of longer contact arms 68, Figs. 3, 8, 9. The first set of timer arms 65, are positioned to This arrn carries a, brush 52, ,having bearing on a current supply rin 54, and another portion 55, en-

The latter ar positioned in a cirone revolution per hour and solenoids it, selected acoacu engage and contact a pair of yielding spring pressed terminals 81, Fig. 10, in a so-called"il1-, teen minute" solenoid circuit and the arms of the other contactor are designed to connect first terminals 08, 60, to connect the distributor ring ll, in the circuit and then to connect terminals 60 and 10, to close the recording circuit. All five of these terminals are shown mounted in an insu I2, and yieldingly held lating rocker I i, pivoted at by spring I3, positioned against a stop 14, ready for engagement by said rotating contactor arms.- The longer arms 68, are shown as having'angulan 1y bent ends I5, engageable with acam portion 16, or the rocker to perform the function of sweeping the rocker out of the way after the arms have completed their circuit closing, accurate timing operations. v

The time circuits determined by the distributor brush and the star wheel accurate timer include magnetic circuit closers selected by the slide keys and designated li, Fig. 2, one ior each of the nine tuners, also in each case one of the three by the wave band switch 2i, associated with that particular tuner.

The solenoids iii, are shown as having cores 69, connected with the lower ends of rocker levers 8t, pivoted at ti, and connected at their upper ends at til, with insulating blocks is, slotted at 88, to slide over the ribs 8b, and carrying con= tests 86, on their. forward laws to cooperate with stationary contacts Ell. Similarly the wave band selecting solenoids it, operate rocirers 88, Fig. 2, connected with sliding blocks 89, carrying contact elements to close the wave band selecting circuits.

A universal latch car it, pivoted at t i, and sun ported by spring is provided to catch and hold the lower end of the lever it which has been cictuated by the solenoid ll, which hes been ener sized and a similar universal bar is provided at 93, for holding the rocker which has been actuated by the particular wave band selecting sole noicl in circuitat the time.

Details oi the wiring controlled by the switch blocks to and are not illustrated, as the some may vary widely, depending upon the particular radio circuits, the type of tuning employed, etc.

In the illustration, tuners oi the inductance or permeability type are shown, by way of example,

involving coils ill, wound about a flat strip of insulation rolled into cylindrical form ands segmental core 9%), Mg. M, which can be rotated within the coils by the linob 2t.

i or purposes of fine tuning, a vernier knob ii, is illustrated, directly in front oi and appear ing as a portion of the direct ccting'lmob it, said Vernier knob carrying an outer ball race clip 98, containing balls iii, bearing on an inner race member illil, supported on an inner row of balls Mi, and having a tongue E02, extending through an arcuate slot illil, into engagement over a re duced diameter portion or the core.

Figs. 2 and is show the volume controls as made up of resistance windings I06, wound about a strip of insulation Ills, rolled into cylindrical form and supported at the end of the tuning coil cylinder in position to be engaged by brush elements I 08, on the central rotary spindle I01.

The spindles I01, are mounted for longitudinal sliding as well as rotary movements and are yieldingly held in the projecting position illustrated by spring I08. Actuating knobs I09, are provided on'the outer ends of these slidable spindles and the inner ends are disposed opposite the lower ends of the switch actuating rockers 92, thus to iii) provide for manual closing of any one of the nine tuning switches at any time and independently or theautomatic program control exercised by the solenoids 11.

In addition to acting as a pusher for mechanically actuating the switch closing rocker 92, independently oi the solenoid, the spindle I01, carries a contact I85, for bridging contacts I86, I81, to close the circuit through the on magnet each time such a manual is operated.

An on" and 03" switch of the mercury type is indicated at H0, mounted on a rocker III. This is connected to control the supply of actu atin'g current to the solenoids and other instrumentalities and is operated automatically on the closing of the timing circuit b the "on" and oil solenoids H2, H3, having cores H6, H5, Fig. 3, connects with opposite ends of the switch rocker. v

The master switch knob 30, Figs. 1 and 2, provides a means by which the unit may be turned ed at any time without shifting the hey slides to their oh positions and thus without disturbhis the program setting.

- in the illustration, the knob it is mounted on the outer end oi a rock shalt llt, carrying at its innerend one linl; ill, of a spring toggle, the other link. lit}, beinc pivoted at its, the two links having a sliding and rocking center connection at 8th, and the spring i211, acting to hold the toggle "broken" in either of the two positions indicated in Fig. 3. A litters-l extension lilo, on link ill, reaches in under the switch rocker to throw the latter to the on? position. in the lower, lull line position of the spring toggle, the set is turnedfloh" and the automatic program selection is in full control. in the upper dotted line position, accomplished by turning the master switch knob Elli, to the left in Fig. l, the set is rendered inoperative and will remain so until the roaster switch is turned basic to the "on position. Theti ne train however, continues in operation, so that the program selection is ready to comeinto action egain as soon as the master switch is again turned on. The latter result is made possible by reason of the fact that the toggle spring is strong enough to resist the pull of the on magnet i it, which magnet even when the set is turned oil continues to be energized by the timing circuit for each broadcast or other period for which the set hes been designed. The spring toscle being eilective to rock the mercury switch only in the "oil" direction, leaves the oil?- magnet tree to act at any time interval when the master switch is in the on" position.

In place of a special master switch described, a simple on' and oil switch the, Fig. 15, may be cut into the mercury switch circuit or the master switch might be arranged just to cut on the supply of plate current, leaving the filaments heated andready for instant operation at the turning on of the set.

The yes and no or voting lever 29, is shown inFlgs. 2 end 7, as carried by a sleeve M2, about the master switch spindle H6. This sleeve carries a lever $123, at its inner end, connected by spring Mt, with a rocking contractor I25, pivoted at I28, so as to swing one way or the other into engagement with the "yes and no contact studs I21, I28, Fig. 3.

To hold the voting switch I25, in one position or the other to the end of that period in which the vote has been recorded, a springlatch I28,

is provided, which will drop into one or the other of the notches I30, Iii, in the locking seg- 7 meat extension I 32, of the lever I23, Figs. and 7.

The release of this latch is eflected at the end of the period by the so-called fifteen minute solenoid I50, Figs. 3 and 6, having a movable core I54, connected with a pivoted cam lever I35, designed to ride up under the tip of the latch and lift it out of the notch I30 or WI.

The cam lever I55, is shown in Figs. 5 and 7, as carrying a pawl I35, in engagement with a ratchet I31, on a shaft I30, extending rearwardly to operate the tape advancing mechanism of the recorder as indicated at I35, Figs. 2 and i.

The fli'teen minute or time period solenoid I33, also may be utilized to actuate a "fader indicated in Fig. 3a, as comprising a resistance coil or coils I40, on the swinging lever I 35, and engaged by aspring brush or brushes I M, to gradually fade out one and gradually fade in another rendition when a shift is made from one program to another.

The recorder is indicated in Figs. 12 and 13, including a tape or record strip I42, advanced step-by-step by a sprocket wheel I45, driven by" companion gears I44, I45, from the intermittently rotating-shaft I38. The sprocket wheel shatt I 45, is shown iournalled in the lower portion of a casing I41, which contains also the supply reel at I40, and take-up reel I49, the latter driven by slip gearing I50, from the sprocket wheel shaft.

The recorder casing as shown in Fig. 13, is open at the bottom at I5I, to expose the electrodes I52, to that portion of the tape passing under the sprocket roll beneath the slotted retainer plate I55.

The entire record containing unit is removably seated in a I54, where it is releasably held by spring latches I55, entering notches I55, in opposite sides of the record case. Exposed fingerholds I51, enable these spring latches to be readily withdrawn to release the record case.

The electrodes I52, are shown as pivotally sup ported at I50, and as rocked upwardly into position for cooperation with the record tape by spring I59.

The described construction enables the record strip unit to be readily placed in or removed from the machine by any one familiar with the structure. If desired, the latches I51, may have suitable locks, so that only one with a key for the purpose may have access to the record strip.

In the light of the foregoing, the wiring diagram is practically self-explanatory.

The distributor brush 55,

. each time interval, every quarter hour and exactly at the end of one interval and the beginning of th next, one of the timer arms 65, closes 55, 51, 40, slide wire 35, horizontal conductor 42, and wiring I55, to the No. 1 solenoid 11, returning by connections I55, and through the "on solenoidII2, and connections I51-I52 to the other side of the line.

.The band selecting solenoid 18, which has been 8 out in for operation by the band selecting switch 2I, at station 1, is energized at the same time through circuit wiring I50, closed by the sliding solenoid switch block 03, and wiring I69, from the wave band switch, returning to source by wiring I10-I52.

The action of the on solenoid assures closing of mercury switch H0, in the supply circuit Hi, to the radio receiver in the event the key slide for the preceding interval had been set in the off position.

If the key slide for the time supposed is set in the of! position, the slid wire 35, will carry current to the lower, oil bus wire 43, and by wiring I12, to the off magnet H3, which then will throw switch 0, to silence the set for that particular period.

A moment after the timing switch has operated to effect the above results, the contact arm 60, will connect contacts 55, and 10, to extend current through the line I13, and the particular circuit closed by the solenoid switch 83, and wiring I141, to one of the recording electrodes I552, return being by wiring I15-I62. In this particular instance, the recording of the station in action end of each interval even though there may have been no change in stations.

A portion of the record with typical markings is shown in Fig. 12.

The voting is recorded in charges through the record yes and "no positions thereon by wires I15, I11, extending from the "yes and no switch terminals I21, I28, to the "yes" and "no recording electrodes I15, I19.

A twenty-four hour mark is made upon the record to facilitate the reading of the twentyfour hour intervals, by means of a special electrode I80, connected by wiring brush contact 55a, which may be located in that idle period, between 2 and 6 oclock in the mornsimilar fashion by disstrip in the particular shown connected at I 82, with the volume controls I 04.

The switch manuals I09, for cutting in any selected tuner at any time are shown connected by wiring I83- I 60, with one side of the source, with return connection I 84, and the wiring IE1-I 62.

The horizontally extending bank of vertically operating slide keys provides an accessible, attractive and conveniently operable arrangement. Other arrangements are possible however, within the scope of the invention.

Thus in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 16, 17, the slides are arranged radially about a contrally disposed clock, with the time contacts 40a. radially disposed and in line with the longitudinal travel of the brush contacts 35a, and the station selecting contacts 42a, are in the form of circular rings opposed to the ends of longitudinal contacts, where they can be reached by the brushes slidingly adjusted over the radial contacts.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 18, 19, is similar to that last described, in that the slides are arranged radially about a central clock face, but these slide 22b, in the latter instance, operate in and out as, Dlungers instead of radially. Also, in the latter instance, the spring brush 35b, extends transversely across the inner end of the plunger slide, with the inner end slid- I8I, with an extra through on" magnet I I2,

ingly engaging a contact wire 40b, extending longitudinally of the plunger movement in the outer end engaging one of the surrounding circularly extending station selecting wires 42b, or the innermost, circular "of!" wired"). The lonitudinal contact wires b, are indicated as seated in grooves on the outside of, the circular support 59b, where they can be engaged b the ends of the sliding brushes and as having end portions 56b, turned inward to serve as contacts for the rotatins crush 55?. This last described construction has the advantage of eliminating all wiring for the timer mechanism, since the circular grouper wires 46b, serve both as the time contacts for the clock and the slide contacts for the station selector keys,

Instead of placing the station selecting contacts as rings surroundins the plunger slides, as in the last structure, these rinse may be placed in a single circular row as indicated at 48c, Fig. 20, and the spring brush then he located in the side of the slide her after the manner of the iirst illustrated term of the invention.

The fader circuit controlled by spring pressed contacts 677, is closed ahead of the distributor cir= cuit across the contacts d8, for a period just longenouen to out the sound of one ore-=- gram and is held closed for that short period in which the magnets are operating to bring in the new program and ior the time necessary for such new program to he faded in and the record mode on the record Thus a silent change=over is eiiected, free of any switch clicking sounds or the like.

What is claimed l. apparatus of the character disclosed, the combination of on insulating annular support having spaced radial notches in the rim of the same, conductors having contact portions disposed within said annular support and radially extending portions located in said notches, an

' insulating ring engaged over the radially extend ing portions oi said conductors for holding the same in place on said insulating annular support,

means for securing said insulating ring in such relation and a distributor hrusli rotating concen tricallv within support sequential engagement with said contact portions of said conductors.

2.. in apparatus oi the character disclosed, the combination of an insulating annular support having" spaced radial notches in the rim oi the some, conductors having contact portions disposed within said annular support and radially extending portions located in said notches, an

Sill

insulating ring engaged over the radially extend:-

ing portions of said conductors for holding the some in place on said insulating annular support, means for securing insulating ring in such relation, a current supply ring disposed Within the annular support at one side of said contact por tions of the conductors and a distributor hrush rotating concentrically within said annular sup port and having separated, yielding branch portions engaging said current supply ring and con tact portions of the conductors.

3. Time control apparatus comprising a flat insulating panel having a series of longitudinal, substantially parallel open top grooves in the face of the same and a series of transverse, substantially parallel open top grooves disposed across one end of said series of longitudinal grooves, time and station selecting conductors laid in said longitudinally and transversely extending grooves and exposed to the face of, the

panel, elongated, flat, thin-insulating slides in side-by-side relation over said panel and in alignment with said longitudinal grooves, a panel overstanding saidslides and having an opening exposing the mid portions or said slides, said slides having handle projections in said opening for the individual actuation of said slides, said slides having grooves in the backs of the same and spring brushes having arched intermediate portions held in said grooves and free end portions slidingly engaging the conductors laid in the longitudinal grooves and selectively engaging the conductors laid in the transverse grooves.

4.- Time control apparatus comprising an insulating panel having a series or substantially parallel, open top, longitudinal grooves in the face of the same and a series of substantially parallel, transverse, open top grooves across one end of the longitudinal grooves, time and station selecting conductors seated in said longitudinal and transverse grooves exposed to the lace of the panel, thin, flat operating members of insulating material confined for longitudinal movement over said longitudinal and transverse conductors and have ing grooves in the hacks of the some in line with the longitudinal conductors, spring brushes hav inc arched intermediate portions held in said grooves and free end portions slidingly engaging the longitudinal conductors and. selectively on gages-able with said transverse conductors, operating members having projecting handles for longitudinally shifting the same to slide the ends of said spring brushes over said longitudinal con doctors and into selective engagement with transverse conductors.

5. lime control comprising an inn sulating panel havtoe; a series oi substantially parallel, open top, longitudinal grooves in the face oi the some and a series or substantially parallel, transverse, open top grooves across one end oi the longitudinal grooves, time and station selecting conductors seated in said longitudinal and transverse grooves exposed to the face of the panel, thin, fiat operating members or insulat= ins material coed tor longitudinal movement over said longitudinal transverse conductors and hes/inc grooves in the loaclzs, oi the same in line with the longitudinal conductors, spring brushes having orched intermediate portions held in said grooves and tree end portions slidingly enthe longitudinal-l conductors and selective iv enuageolole with transverse conductors, said operating members having projecting han dies for longituolinallgv shifting the same to slide the ends oi'said spring lemshcs'over said longitudinal conductors and into selective engagement with said transverse conductors, said longitudiml and transverse grooves losing of substantially ll-shaped cross'sectlon and the conductors laid in said grooves lacing wires held in position in the bottoms of said V-shsped grooves, the ends oi the spring brushe which engage in the transverse grooves being suhstantially v-shaped to retain the brushes and the operating members in which they are held, in various selected positions.

6. Time control apparatus comprising an annular support having spaced radially extending positioning notches in the rim of the same,- an insulating support having a series of spaced positioning grooves in the face of the same, conductor wires having bare contact portions disposed in sequential arrangement within said annular support and radial portions located within said positioning notches, said wires extending continuously from said positioning notches to said insull iating support and having bare contact portions disposed in said positioning grooves, a time operated distributor brush rotatable within said annular support and successively engageable with said bare contact portions of the wires positioned within said annular support, time selecting keys operable over the bare contact portions at the opposite ends oi said wires disposed in the grooves in said panel, brushes carried by said keys in sliding engagement with said contact portions oi the wires located in said grooves and spaced, relatively insulated contacts disposed in angular relation to said last mentioned contact portions or the wires for selective engagement by said brushes in the adjustment oi thesame by said time keys.

7. Time control apparatus comprising an insulating support having a group of spaced, substantially parallel, open top, longitudinal grooves and a series of spaced, substat. tlally parallel, open top, transverse grooves acrom one end of the group of longitudinal grooves, longitudinally extending conductors seated in said longitudinal grooves and transversely extending conductors seated in said transverse grooves, elongated operating members 01' insulating; material in substantially parallel side-by-sirie relation over said insulating support and in line with said longitudinally extending conductors, means confining said operating members in said side-by-side relam as each to reach from a, point iii; tion and for individua' movement longitudinally 01' said longitudinal conductors, exposed handles for selectively shitting said operating members and spring brushes having intermediate portions secured in the backs 0! said operating members and free end portions respectively engageable with the conductors in said longitudinally and transversely extending grooves 8. Time control apparatus comprising an insulating support, longitudinally extending conductors mounted in spaced side-by-side relation on said insulating support, transverse conductors mounted in spaced side-by-side relation on said support at one end of and spaced from the group or said longitudinally extending conductors, op erating members oi. insulating material mounted in side-by-side relation over said. insulating support in line with and movable in direction of extent of said longitudinally extending conductors and spring brushes having intermediate portions aetuatahly engaged by said insulating operating members and free end portions respectively engaged with said longitudinally extending; and transverse conductors, said brushes being arched oi. sliding engagement with a longitudinally extending conductor at one end over intervening transverse conductors into engagement with, a selected transverse conductor at the opposite end 

